Virtual Reality: Frequently Asked Questions

Alan Ayckbourn's Archivist Simon Murgatroyd's answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Alan Ayckbourn's Virtual Reality. If you have a question about this or any other of Alan Ayckbourn's plays, you can contact the website via the Contact Us page.Is Virtual Reality available to produce?No, Virtual Reality has been withdrawn by the playwright and is not available to produce by either professional or amateur companies. It has not been published either and it is unlikely the playwright will give permission for either production or publication of the play.

Why has Virtual Reality been withdrawn?Simply because the playwright is unhappy with the play. He has spoken about realising the play was not up to the standard he expected of himself during rehearsals, by which time it was too late to withdraw the play. This, combined with the critical reaction to the piece, led Alan Ayckbourn to make the rare decision to completely withdraw the play following its UK tour in 2001. The playwright has signalled he has no intention of returning to the piece nor allowing it to be produced again.

I'm researching the works of Alan Ayckbourn, is there any way to read Virtual Reality?A single copy of Virtual Reality is held in the Ayckbourn Archive at the Borthwick Institute For Archives at the University Of York. The play can be read on-site at the university for research purposes.All research for this page by Simon Murgatroyd.